Burnley minority owner JJ Watt lifts the lid on drinking beer and playing poker with Vincent Kompany’s players during title celebrations: ‘Those are the moments that make it so special’

JJ Watt has revealed that he was drawn into playing poker and drinking beers with Burnley’s players after their Championship title win last season.

Watt, who is still only 34, headed to Lancashire for the parade to toast their title-winning campaign under Vincent Kompany.   

‘A couple of months ago, during the parade, I came in – obviously now I’m part of the ownership group, I’m no longer a player – all the boys were getting ready for the parade,’ he said. 

JJ Watt revealed he was drawn into playing poker and drinking beers with Burnley’s players

Burnley supporters lined the streets to celebrate the club winning the Championship title 

‘Ashley Barnes is playing poker around a table, he’s got beers with the boys. He said: “JJ come on over, sit down!”

‘So I’m sitting down and I’m like: “All right, I’m in the ownership group but I am still the same age as Ashley and I’m a player at heart.” So we start playing a little cards, I have a beer and he says: “Come on, we’re going on the bus!” 

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‘So we get on, to go to the parade and I’m like: “Am i supposed to be enjoying this and having fun or not? But those are the moments that make it so special – that day, that parade, everything about that. You could tell that team was so special.’

Kompany is now leading Burnley in the Premier League. They sit bottom of the table, having lost all three of their opening games since winning promotion.

The former NFL player enjoyed a conversation with Burnley manager Vincent Kompany

Watt asked the Belgian whether there were any aspects of the NFL or other sports he would love to bring to soccer.

‘There is plenty I still want to learn but attention to detail, hours of education for the players – I think you put in a lot more time in the classroom than we do,’ Kompany said. 

‘There are other things that are really healthy in football (soccer) that we need to keep but I definitely think we have another layer of levels to come when it comes to players dedicating the day to the profession.’

Watt is already planning another reunion with the manager. ‘I’m going to come to Belgium some time and we’re going to do a waffle tour,’ he said. ‘That’s going to be our next show together.’